HCG (tumor marker)

Chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a tumour marker used in particular in the diagnosis, follow-up and monitoring of germ cell tumours (non-seminomatous testicular tumours and certain ovarian choriocarcinomas) as well as in gestational trophoblastic diseases (hydatidiform mole, choriocarcinoma), where hCG levels are often very high. It is used to assess response to treatment and detect recurrence at an early stage. In addition, ectopic hCG production can be observed in non-germ cell cancers such as lung, bladder, kidney or digestive cancers, often associated with an aggressive or poorly differentiated tumour phenotype. The measurement of hCG, particularly its free β subunit, is therefore a useful tool in oncology.